Volunteers

Social Media Policy

Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan (GSHOM) recognizes that the Internet provides unique opportunities to participate in interactive discussions and share information using a wide variety of social media, such as Facebook, Twitter and blogs. However, use of social media also presents certain risks and carries with it certain responsibilities. To assist our girls and volunteers in making responsible decisions about their use of social media, we have established these guidelines for appropriate use of social media.

Generally, the same laws, professional expectations and guidelines for interacting with GSHOM staff, volunteers and girl members apply online as in other communications and face-to-face situations. Ultimately girls and volunteers are responsible for what they post on any social media format.

Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan’s guidelines are as follows:

• Do not post statements, photographs, video, or audio that could be viewed as malicious, obscene, threatening; intimidating; disparaging of other girls or volunteers or GSHOM; or that could be considered harassing or bullying. Examples of inappropriate postings include, but are not limited to: offensive posts meant to intentionally harm someone’s reputation; posts that could contribute to the creation of a hostile girl/volunteer environment; posts that contain threats of violence or similar inappropriate or unlawful conduct; or include characteristics protected by law or GSHOM policy.

• Girls and volunteers are prohibited from acting as official representatives of GSHOM and making public statements on behalf of the GSHOM unless they have received prior permission. If girls and volunteers identify themselves as being a part of GSHOM they should make clear that the views they express are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of GSHOM.

• Girls and volunteers are prohibited from misappropriating the Girl Scout trademark or any GSHOM logos, letterhead, or written information. Committing any other acts in violation of any local, state or federal law is prohibited.

Girls and volunteers with GSHOM do not retain privacy or ownership with regard to the use of social media owned and operated by GSHOM.